Pours a deepest dark brown, opaque, topped by a one finger head which fights the good fight, but ends up as a skim, then finally to a bare cap and thin ring, atop this thick looking beauty.

Not a strong smell, but full of dark fruit, smoky roast malt, dark caramel, hints of tart yeast, and some other sweet aromas hard to define.

Full flavored, and once this baby opens up it is a feast for the palate. It starts tart and sweet, almost vinous, but the malt and smoke kick in, some really nice yeast balances it with tart. Dark fruits come into the sip, plum, ripe cherry, some figgy flavor kicks in, some coffee, the smoke just carries it, never overpowering like in some rauchbiers, finally ending in a juicy finish that is the sweet of the fruit, the drying flavor of the smoke, spicy yet subdued alcohol, along with hints of floral, earth, and herbal bitter. As it warms this becomes a pleasure that is rare, a delicious taste unlike any others I've tried. What a shame this is listed as a porter, it should have its own category.

Mouthfeel is just short of stoutlike, highly viscous, very low carb., and a superior and complex finish.

Drinkability is dangerously good. Besides for the lack of alcohol presence, the flavors beg for another sip.

Impression: Get this if you can, absolutely stellar work by the HudVal's other great brewer. (1,399 characters)

The nose has a rich, earthy smokiness reminiscent of old fireplaces and slow-cooking bacon. Bit of dark, ripe fruit. Exceptional.

The flavor is awesome as well. Sharp smokiness a la Schlenkerla mixes with chocolate and molasses, creating a delicious marriage of styles. Not so much coffee or roast as peaty, smokey notes. Surprising amount of fig and prune, too. Thick mouthfeel with smooth, low carbonation. I could taste the alcohol but would never have guessed it to be 12 percent. Quite the beer.

This is one of the most delicious smoked beers out there. Gotta love the Rauch! (719 characters)

I'm going to have to follow in line with Billolick on this one. I think his review is spot on. I picked this bad boy up as a 22oz. counter-pressure filled bomber at Bierkraft in Brooklyn. Poured into a Trois Pistoles goblet.

16 ounce "Growler" filled at DeCiccos in Ardsley, NY. An always welcome new one from the captain. Pours black, under a dark mocha head, that is dense and lasting. Turns to a thick tiny bubble film, collar and leaves plentiful fine bits of lacing. Rich smoky nose, with some undertones of dark chocolate. Thick and viscous brew, allowed to warm up quite a bit, this one is loaded with chocolate, bacon infused smoke, rich dark/roasty/burnt malts, espresso, ripe dark fruits. Dark mocha/dark chocolate beer shake. Simply yummy stuff. Hoppy and drying in the finish, all through the mouth and down the throat. Enjoy with some smoky BBQ or as a desert beer with a chocolate after feast treat. Great new one from Scott V/CLB (719 characters)